University of North Florida
Campbell
Women’s Soccer Drops Heartbreaker to Campbell, 3-2
10/16/2010 10:16:37 PM | Women's Soccer
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Freshman forward Lauren Hopfensperger notched her conference-leading ninth and 10th goals of the year, but it wasn't enough as the North Florida women's soccer team allowed three unanswered goals, falling to Campbell, 3-2, on Saturday night at Hodges Stadium.
With the loss, the Ospreys fall to 7-9 overall and 6-3 in conference play while the Camels improve to 7-10-1 on the year and 4-6 in league play.
Hopfensperger opened the scoring early on in the seventh minute of play with a strike from within the penalty box off a cross from freshman Carolina Lencina who earned her third assist this season. Lencina tallied her fourth helper of the year minutes later (24th minute), connecting again with Hopfensperger who put the ball in the back of the net, on a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, for the second time of the night.
However, the North Florida defense that has allowed just two goals in the last four matches allowed three unanswered over the remainder of the match, thus ending any chance to win the Atlantic Sun Conference regular season title. The Ospreys needed at least a tie to stay in the hunt.
The game-winning goal for Campbell came with just four minutes and 42 seconds remaining when the Camels' leading scorer Olga Ekblom connected on a strike after beating her defender.
Though the Ospreys' defense allowed three goals, the squad still kept the opponent from outshooting North Florida. Over the last 13 matches, North Florida has at least equaled its opponents in shots taken and outshot opponents in 10 of those 13. The Camels matched the Ospreys in the category today, 10-10, and allowed just three in the first half.
Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Brittany Hahn grabbed three saves on the day and currently has 46 saves this year, which moves her into the No. 9 spot in the North Florida all-time rankings for saves in a season. The New Port Richey, Fla., native needs seven more to overtake No. 8.
North Florida will have a week off before returning to play at home next weekend as it hosts rival Jacksonville on Friday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. (ET). It will be the last regular season match for the Ospreys.
